Gladys P. Miller

Gladys Miller was a wonderful woman, who devoted her life to caring for those around her. She lived a long and full life, a life full of challenges and triumphs, of family and friendship. Gladys was a loyal sister and daughter, a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother, who lived each day full of love for her family. Gladys' story began on a cold winter day in 1919, in the Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Illinois. Those were fascinating times in this country, as Americans celebrated a victory in World War I, Prohibition began, and women finally won the right to vote. The automobile and the airplane continued to change our society, and the world. Yet on January 20, 1919, George and Mary (Rau) White celebrated their own big change, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Gladys. Gladys was joined by three brothers, George, Vinny, and Ralph, and two sisters, Mary and Doris, in the family's Wilmette home. Her father was an English immigrant, who came to Wilmette for a better life, and he found it when he met Gladys' mother, a Wilmette native. Her parents owned a grocery store there, where her father doubled as owner and butcher. Gladys had a happy childhood, and loved playing in the park across the street from their house. She also learned to play the piano and the organ, and excelled at making baby clothes and quilts at a young age. When she became a young woman, she graduated from Mallinkrodt High School in Wilmette. Eventually, Gladys began to notice a handsome young man named Richard Miller, who stopped in her parents' grocery store occasionally and also delivered groceries for them. As it turned out, Richard had noticed Gladys, too, and they began dating. It wasn't long before the young couple fell in love, and they were married on October 2, 1939 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wilmette, just the second couple to be wedded in the new church. Gladys and Richard began a wonderful marriage and life together, a life full of love and family. The couple was blessed with four wonderful sons in the coming years, Jim, Richard Jr., Neal and Jeff. Gladys was a loving, compassionate wife and mother, who enjoyed doting on her sons and husband. She was so supportive of all their endeavors, and son Jeff fondly remembers traveling to Europe with the St. Joseph's boy's choir, where his parents went along as chaperones, one of so many fond memories they made together. Gladys' life wasn't without its challenges, however. She sadly suffered the death of her brother Ralph during World War II, one of so many casualties in the Battle of the Bulge. Then, tragically, she lost two of her sons, as Neal died in 1965, and Jim in 1975. Gladys persevered, through her inner strength and the love of her family. Oh, how she loved her family. The happiest days of her life were the births of each of her children, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She really enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially if she could play cards with them. Another moment so special for her was her wonderful 50th wedding anniversary she celebrated with Richard and her family, with a gala event at Nordic Hills Resort just outside Chicago. She loved her husband, and they shared a wonderful life together. During the 1970s, Gladys worked as a cashier for the Jewell Tea Company, just to get out of the house and earn some extra money. She and Richard retired in 1979, and promptly became "snow birds," spending their winters in Florida. For the next 24 years, from 1980 to 2004, they wintered in Florida, spending the summer months in either Illinois or Michigan, to be close to family. Sadly, their home in Florida was destroyed by Hurricane Charlie in 2004. Richard remembers their trips to Florida so fondly, just the two of them and their new friends, enjoying the sunny days and warm nights, sitting around and playing cards together, one of Gladys' favorite pastimes. Gladys sadly died Monday, November 13, 2006, the last surviving child of George and Mary White. She was a wonderful woman, such a devoted, loving lady. Gladys lived a long and full life, a life not without challenges but also so many blessings. We were so blessed to have known her. She will be greatly missed. SURVIVORS Husband, Richard; sons, Richard (Iris) Miller, Jr. and Jeff Miller, Daughter-in-law, Judy Miller, 9 grandchildren, Pam Young (John), Stacy Steele (Michael), Jamie Miller, Jodie (Gary) Elrod, Marc Martin (Charlotte Knepfel) David Martin (Liz), Suzanne Martin-Reay (David) Richard Miller (Jen Glickstein), Rory Miller; and 6 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 sons, Jim and Neal; 3 brothers and 2 sisters. SERVICE Friday, November 17, 2006, 11:00 AM, at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Olson officiating. Interment at Egelston Township Cemetery. VISITATION Thursday, 5-9 PM, at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.